Ricky Laxa / Staff Writer
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Kuwait will continue to distribute financial assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers under the program of the Philippines’ Department of Labor and Employment Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP). The financial for displaced land based and sea based Filipino Workers affected by Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) commenced its distribution during the rage of the pandemic but temporarily halted due to the non-provision of funds from the Philippine Department of Labor.
In a brief interview with Assistant Labor Attaché Cathy Duladul mentioned that finally the distribution will resume this Saturday, 5 December. “We target the distribution of DOLE-AKAP to about 500 beneficiaries per day, and we urge OFWs to arrive at the designated hours to avoid crowding of people outside the premises and to adhere to precautionary measures with social distancing, use of mask and disinfectant at all times” stated Duladul. 10,012 OFWs have received the financial assistance prior to temporary discontinue of the funds and additional 10,000 OFWs will receive the funds, however priority will be given to those who have not received the funds due to failure to arrive and collect and those who have been advised of approval earlier.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued the guidelines on the provision of financial assistance to displaced Landbased and Sea-based Filipino workers due to coronavirus diseases (COVID-19), known as “DOLE-AKAP for OFWs”. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has accepted online applications commenced on 13 April 2020 to avail USD200.00 financial assistance. Beneficiaries of the cash assistance include Regular or Documented OFW, Qualified Undocumented OFW and Balik-Manggagawa (Return Worker)who are unable to return to host country in view of host country lockdown due to COVID19.